Bed sheet set with different thermal properties

This utility patent application is based on the provisional patent application (Ser. No. 60/577,136) filed on Jun. 4, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to bed clothing and, more particularly, to bed sheets designed for individuals sharing a bed who desire to sleep between bed sheets having different thermal insulation properties.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is well known that bed sheets are laundered more often than a bed's outer blankets and bed cover. One reason for this is that the bed sheets are in direct contact with the occupants of the bed and need to be laundered on a weekly basis. Another reason is that the outer blankets and bed cover are generally made of thicker, decorative fabric that often requires special washing and drying procedures.

The top and bottom sheets used on a bed typically have matching or complementary decorative colors and patterns printed on their inside surfaces. It is presumed that the practice of matching the color or patterns on inside surfaces of the two sheets developed because the two surfaces are sometimes seen together, such as when the upper edge of the top sheet is folded downward over the upper edge of the top blanket when the bed is made or when the occupant enters or exits the bed.

Couples that sleep in the same bed, of course, share the sheets and blankets. It is well known, that individuals may desire bedding with different thermal insulation properties. Heretofore, blankets having sections with different thermal characteristics have been invented, (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,007,125 and 5,708,995). None of these patents, however, disclose or suggest a set of bed sheets with different thermal properties with matching or complimentary inside surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a set of top and bottom bed sheets that have sections with different thermal and insulative properties.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a set of bed sheets that can be laundered like standard cotton bed sheets and are aesthetically pleasing.

These and other objects of the present invention are met by a set of bed sheets disclosed herein that includes a top sheet divided into two adjacent, bed sections made of materials that have different thermal properties. In the first embodiment, the two bed sections are longitudinally aligned and sewn together along the sheet's center axis. The top sheet includes a decorative inside surface that matches or is visually compatible with the decorative inside surface formed or printed on the bottom sheet. The bottom sheet in the set may be made of a single material having uniform thickness and thermal properties or it may be made of two bed sections made of two different materials having different thermal properties like the top sheet. In the preferred embodiment, a decorative band is sewn along the top edge of the top sheet, which creates a uniform, aesthetic edge when the top sheet is folded over the top blanket on the bed.

In the preferred embodiment, the one bed section on the top and bottom sheets are made of lightweight cotton similar to a cotton material commonly used today on standard bed sheets while the other bed section is made of heavier, thicker cotton or flannel similar to a light blanket. The two bed sections may be easily cleaned and dried in a home's standard washer and dryer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of a bed with the bed sheet set placed thereon.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the bed sheet set.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the bed sheet set.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a top plan view of a third embodiment of the bed sheet set.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a sectional side elevational view of the top bed sheet taken along line <b>5</b>—<b>5</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a bed <b>5</b> is shown with a bed sheet set <b>10</b> described herein design to satisfy the needs of two individuals sleeping in the bed <b>5</b> who desire bedding with different thermal insulating properties. When sleeping, the bed sheet set <b>10</b> allows two occupants in the bed <b>5</b> to share bedding without forcing one occupant to accept the other occupant's thermal insulating bedding choices. Top blankets <b>6</b> and bed cover <b>7</b> can be added or removed from the bed <b>5</b> to easily meet each occupant's preferences.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the bed sheet set <b>10</b> includes a top sheet <b>20</b> and a bottom sheet <b>40</b>. The top sheet <b>20</b> is divided into two longitudinally aligned first and second bed sections <b>23</b>, <b>28</b>. The first bed section <b>23</b> is made of thin, lightweight cotton while the second bed section <b>28</b> is made of thicker, heavy cotton, such as flannel. The first and second bed sections <b>23</b>, <b>28</b> are longitudinally aligned on opposite sides of the top sheet <b>20</b> and sewn together at a seam <b>25</b> located along the sheet's center axis <b>21</b>. In the first embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the bottom bed sheet <b>40</b> is made of the same thin, lightweight cotton material used in the first bed section <b>23</b>. In a second embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the bottom bed sheet <b>40</b>′ is made of two adjacent, longitudinally aligned bed sections <b>43</b>′, <b>45</b>′, similar to the two sections <b>23</b>, <b>28</b>, respectively, used on the top sheet <b>20</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

As seen in the figures, the top sheet is generally rectangular in shape, and is comprised of a generally rectangular, wide continuous band <b>34</b>, that has a width of approximately 12 inches, as measured in the longitudinal direction of the bed on which it is to be used, the band being sewn to the upper edges of the bed sheet sections that have different thermal properties.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows a third embodiment of the invention with the top sheet <b>20</b>′ divided into two transversely aligned bed sections <b>23</b>′, <b>28</b>′ made of thin and thick cotton, respectively. The two bed sections <b>23</b>′, <b>28</b>′ are sewn together along the sheet's transverse axis <b>22</b>. The thin section <b>23</b>′ is located over the occupant's feet while the thicker section <b>28</b>′ is located over the occupant's shoulders. During use, the top sheet <b>20</b> may be selectively rotated on the bed <b>5</b> so that the thin section <b>23</b>′ covers the user's shoulders while the thicker section <b>28</b>′ covers the occupant's feet. The top sheet <b>20</b>′ is shown being used with a bottom sheet <b>40</b>″ which also includes two transversely aligned thin and thicker bed sections <b>43</b>″, <b>45</b>″, respectively also connected together along a seam <b>48</b>″ aligned over top sheets' center axis <b>42</b>. Like the top sheet <b>20</b>′, the bottom sheet <b>40</b>″ may be rotated so that bed sections <b>43</b>″, <b>45</b>″ are positioned against different areas on the occupant.

In every embodiment, the top and bottom sheets <b>20</b>, <b>40</b> have an inside surface <b>24</b>, <b>41</b>, respectively, that includes a decorative design or color that matches. Also in every embodiment, a wide decorative band <b>34</b> is sewn along the upper transverse edge of the top sheet <b>20</b> which creates an aesthetic edge.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the adjacent edges of the sections <b>23</b> and <b>28</b> on the top sheet <b>20</b> overlap and are sewn together to form a seam <b>25</b>. The seams <b>48</b>″ on the bottom sheets <b>40</b>′ and <b>40</b>″ respectively are made the same way.

In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1–4</figref>, the sheets <b>20</b>, <b>20</b>′,<b>40</b>, <b>40</b>′, <b>40</b>″ are designed for a double bed and measures approximately 84×101 inches with the top band <b>34</b> measuring approximately 84×12 inches. In the first embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, each side section <b>23</b>, <b>28</b> is approximately 41−½×89 inches. The center seam <b>25</b> is approximately 1 inch wide. It should be understood, the top and bottom sheets <b>20</b>, <b>20</b>′, <b>40</b>, <b>40</b>′, <b>40</b>″ may be designed for use on a Queen-size bed which measures approximately 92

As stated above, the two sections <b>23</b>, <b>28</b> on the top and bottom sheets <b>20</b>, <b>20</b>′, <b>40</b>, <b>40</b>′, <b>40</b>″ are made of thin and thick cotton respectively. It should be understood, however, that the two sections <b>23</b>, <b>28</b> maybe made of wool, silk or nylon having different insulting properties.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.